Rabat Ajax beat Mqabba with a goal in each half to keep in touch with San Gwann in the race against relegation.

After San Gwann’s win in the first match yesterday, all the pressure was on the Magpies who had to gain the three points at stake to keep their hopes alive.

Against a demotivated Mqabba side, Rabat gave a spirited display emerging worthy winners.

Mqabba, who had Chimezie on the substitute’s bench, did the early running but Rabat took control of the match after the first twenty minutes of the game.

With Albanian Wilson Caushi and Adam Smeir in splendid form, Rabat were menacing on the half hour with a Caushi shot hitting the side netting and a Michael Micallef first timer sailing over the bar.

Rabat took a deserved lead on 36 minutes when Wilson Caushi crossed towards Adam Smeir who headed past a hesitant Kris Calleja.

Calleja made amends minutes later when he dived to block a darren galea shot.

In the second half Mqabba were more aggressive as they surged forward to save the match.

However the Rabat goalkeeper James Borg was always on the alert with some neat handling of the ball.

On 73 minutes Rabat put the issue beyond doubt when Adam Smeir made his way past a couple of defenders before passing to the unmarked Caushi who easily scored from close range to crown a great display.

Mqabba pushed desperately forward till the final whistle but the Rabat defenders kept their opponents at bay to gain three valuable points.